BRITISH COAL STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1921, Page 2

BRITISH COAL STRIKE.

CABLE NEWS.

MINERS REFUSE CONDITIONS. BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, April 9. It is understod the miners have refused to accept the Premier’s conVtion, and are now conferring with the Railways Executive in reference to Ihe strike arrangements. TWO MILLIONS- AFFECTED. LONDON, April 9. The general strike decision of the*'*' Triple Alliance affects two milling workers. The workers affected w'ere not consulted by a ballot, or any other such method. RAILWAY COMPANY CIRCULAR. TO REASSURE EMPLOYEES. LONDON, April 9. The directors of the Great Western Railway Company, have circularised theirs staff, stating that there is no truth in the reports that in August next, when the railways are to be decontrolled, an attempt will he made to revert to the pre-war rates. They also remind the staff that their conditions of service provide that they shall give 7 or 28 days’ notice, according to the terms of agreement, before ceasing work.

- OPPOSITION TO STRIKE. LONDON, April 9. It is increasingly evident that there is a big body of opinion among workers which resents the procedure of the Triple Alliance; though only a small part is as yet able to give voice to that opinion. Six hundred of the staff at the Lime Street Station at Liverpool have telegraphed to Mr Thomas denouncing the strike, saying the whole thing was a Bolshevik move and that it was meant to bring about a revolution. The staff demanded a ballot, adding:—“We will not strike.” Some rail way men’s lodges in Alfredton district also adopted a resolution against the strike in support of die miners until a ballot is taken. If the National Railway Union will not do this (the resolution declares) the district raihvaymen will take a ballot. The-. Lime Street station men’s telegram to Mr Thomas also declared: - - “The so-called mass meetings held on Sunday in Liverpool in favour of the strike were an absolute farce. They were packed with outsiders. Out of 17,800 raihvaymen in the Liverpool district, only 400 attonden, and half these , left in disgust, owing to the Bolshevik attitude of the speakers.” They continue: —“As British working men we urge the Federation to taue a stand -against extremists.” LLOYD GEORGE’S ASSERTIONS. LONDON, April 9 Mr Lloyd George, in the House of Commons said:—lt was clear that the miners had decided to give the mines to destruction. It was the Government’s duty, as the nation’s trustee to prevent a catastrophe. For the first time in the country’s history it was con fronted -with an attempt to coerce it into capitulation by a destruction of resources. The Government, he declared, proposed* to call for volunteers to maintain national services. Adequate t rotection would be given. Continuing, Mr Lloyd George said: —The Police were inadequate for the * task. Therefore he appealed to patriotic sitizens to enrol as volunteers. Mr Clynes said the damage to the mines in the majority of cases was comparatively small. It was clour that if conditions had not been laid down, a conference could have taken place early in the week and the dispute perhaps settled. He did not question the elalwrate precautions taken, but urged the Premier to remove the only obstacle to a confeence. LLOYD GEORGE’S CONCERN. „ LONDON, April 9 Mr Lloyd George has addressed a further letter to the Miners Federation in which he says:—ln view of the grave consequences involved, it is diificut to under-jtanda how a discussion designed to promote a settlement can usefully proceed unless we all agree that the first task should be to secure the preservation and safety of the mines, without which there must he widespread and continued unemployment and distress. The Government’s attitude is dictated solely by a desire to remove the main obstacle that stands in the way of fruitful negotiations. The destruction of the mines indeed would be as fatal to the nation as a- defeat m war. To secure them must be the paramount duty of the Government. -

MINE DEPUTIES WORK ON

■LONDON, April 9. The colliery deputies in Derbyshire, Notts and Stafford have decided to continue working, despite the Federations orders to cease. While the Welsh and Scottish miners continue- intimidating the pumpmen, , there is little interference with colliery officials and volunteers who :re keeping English pits dry. Pumps are still working in most mines in Lancashire. Yorkshire, -Derbyshire, North uvberland, Durham and Warwickshire.

DELAY OF GENERAL STRIKE LONDON, April 9. Mr Thomas, addressing raihvaymen at Paddington, said it was the duty of everyone to still apply themselves to find an honourable solution of the problem. " ...... The Triple Alliance’s decision to strike at midnight on Tuesday, instead jf on, •» Sunday-, is regarded as a triumph foi the moderates, as it allows four days in which to reopen negotiations. Both the Railway men’s and Transporta tion Executives are reluctant to call a strike . Air ships will supplement motor orvies in carrying foodstuffs for the inland towns. Air planes will become mail earners, •